ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Rationalize

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/ · Part of speech verb

Quick meaning: Rationalize is a verb meaning To make something rational or more rational.

Meaning

To make something rational or more rational.

More Meanings

  1. To justify a discreditable act, or irrational behaviour.
  2. (mathematics) To remove radicals, without changing the value of an expression or the roots of an equation.
  3. To structure something along modern, efficient and systematic lines, or according to scientific principles. This often includes eliminating duplication and grouping like or similar items.

Example Sentences

Vested interest, united ties, / landed gentry, rationalize. / Look who bought the myth. / By jingo, buy America.
At our October meeting, Membership Director George Kaufer suggested rationalizing schedules on the Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton trains. He had prepared peak-hour schedules with a focus on ensuring that trains to Hoboken alternate more equally with those to New York, rather than having a number of trains to one destination together before a train to the other city.

Word Forms

Synonyms for rationalize

Depending on context, synonyms include excuse, cut, justify, prune, apologize, apologise.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include justify, excuse, apologize, apologise, cut, prune.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.